Method and apparatus for drawing three dimensional views of objects



June 29, 1965 Filed May 7. 1962 G. DE ANGELIS METHOD 'AND APPARATUS FGR DRAWING THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEWS 0F OBJECTS y 2 SheetsfSheet 1 @E DEA/VGEL/S Fri. 4

INVENTOR June 29, 1965 G DE ANGE-:Lis 3,191,307

METHOD AND APIPARATUS FOR DRAWING THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEWS OF OBJECTS Filed May 7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE DE NGEL/5 INVENTOR moi@ United States Patent C) 3,191,307 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEWS OF OBJECTS George De Angelis, 9830 Allen Road, Allen Park, Mich. Filed May 7, 1962, Ser. No. 192,698 9 Claims. (Cl. 33-77) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for drawing three dimensional views of objectsv and more particularly to a method and apparatus for aiding in the preparation of perspective and isometric drawings.

Current methods of preparing three dimensional drawings, such as perspectives, on a sheet of drawing paper require the draftsman to manipulate straight edges, rules, or triangles to achieve a perspective view of the object which does not appear distorted to the viewer. The placement of the straight edge or other drawing tools to draw lines for perspective views depend on the skill-and judgment of the draftsman or illustrator in order to maintain the proper angular relationship between the various lines required for the completion of the perspective view. To achieve the proper relationship, all lines are assumed to have a common point of intersection frequently called a vanishing point, on either the left side or the right side of the View being drawn. As the left and right common points of intersection of the various divergent lines do not usually fall on the surface to which the drawing paper is attached or the rule and straight edge are not of sufcient length to extend to these points of intersection, great diiliculty is encountered by the draftsman in completing a proper perspective view of the drawing paper.

Complex drafting machines may be used to assist in the drawing of three dimensional views but such machines are expensive and cumbersome, and not readily available to most illustrators or draftsmen, especially to a person working on a portable drawing board.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple method for preparing three dimensional drawings.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive drawing apparatus that aids in the preparation of perspective views of objects on drawing paper and may also be utilized as a T-square.

The drawing apparatus embodying the present invention which is used in the preparation of three dimensional views of objects on a `sheet of drawing paper comprises a member having a` substantially straight edge. A pair of links are universally connected to one end of the.mem` ber with the connections spaced apart from each other. Each link is provided with a means that permits the links to be connected to a flat surface to which the drawing paper is aflxed.

In a preferred embodiment, each link is of equal size and has one end pivotally connected to the one end of the member having a straight edge while the other end of `the link is provided with an aperture to receive a fastening means. link to be pivotally connected to` the ilatlsurface.

The method of this invention utilizes the drawing apparatus as heretofore described to draw a perspective view of an object on a sheet of drawing paper in the following manner: First, two divergent lines .are drawn on the drawing paper. The member of the drawing apparatus of thisinvention is placed on the drawing paper with its straight edge aligned with one `of the pair of lines. One of the pair of links is rotated so that it is substantially parallel to the straight edge. Then it is pivotally connected to the surface by one fastening means being extended through its aperture. The other of the pair of links is rotated so as to strike a rst arc with the other end of this link. Then the straight edge of the member is aligned with the other of the two diverging lines. A second arc is struck with the other end of the other of This permits this other end of each 3,191,307 Patented June 29, 1965 the pair of links and at the point of intersection between the first and second arcs, this other end is pivotally connected to the surface by extending a second fastening means through its aperture.

It can be seen that all other lines drawn within the drawing area with the pivotally connected drawing apparatus will intersect in close proximity of the vanishing point without requiring the further alignment of the straight edge with the point of intersection or relying on the judgment of the draftsman to obtain the proper angular relationships between lines. The perspective drawings prepared by the method of this invention are fully acceptable and do not appear distorted although the various divergent lines do not precisely intersect at the common vanishing point due to the linkage arrangement of the drawing apparatus of this invention.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds particularly when considered in connection wtih the accom-r panying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the drawing apparatus depicting one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a drawing apparatus depicting an alternate embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the drawing apparatus shown in FIGURE 3, illustrating its use as a T- square;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the drawing apparatus of the iirst embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating one step of the method of this invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the drawing apparatus shown in FIGURE l illustrating a further step of the vmethod of this invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the drawing apparatus illustrating still further steps of the method of this in-` vention.

In FIGURES 1 and 2 is seen a drawing apparatus, generally designated as 11, embodying this invention. The drawing apparatus 11 comprises a first horizontal member 12 having an edge 13 which is substantially straight. To the top surface of one end of the first member 12 is attached to a relatively thin second member 14 which extends normal to the straight edge 13. The second member 14 is secured intermediate its top edge portion 15 and its bottom edge portion 16 to the first member 12 by screws 17. A first link 18 is pivotally connected at one end to the top edge portion 15 of the second member 14 by a rivet 19. A second link 21, which is approximately the same length as the rst link 18, is

1 pivotally connected at one end to the bottom edge portion fastening pin 24 has a head 25 which is integrally formed 16 of the second member 14 by another rivet 22.

The other ends of the rst link 18 and the second link 21 are provided with apertures 23a and 23b respectively.V

A pair of fastening pins 24a and 2417 are provided. Each with a pin portion 26 as seen in FIGURE 1. The pin portion 26 of each fastening pin 24 may be extended through the apertures 23 into the surface of a drawing table to pivotally connect the other ends of the rst link 18 and the second link 21 to the drawing table as hereinafter described.

An alternate embodiment `of the drawing apparatus, generally designated as 27, is shown in FIGURES 3 tand 4. In this embodiment, the drawing apparatus 27 com# prises -a T-square having a straight edge member 28 The ibasic TF-square is converted to the drawing tapparatus 27 of this invention by pivotally connecting one end of a tirst link 31 with a rivet 32 to the bottom surface of the lcross member 29 at its outward upper corner. One end of a second link 33 is pivotally connected by a second rivet 34 to the bottom surface of the cross member 29 at its outward lower corner. The tir-st tand second links 311, 33k are approximately of the same lengt-h and are provided with apertures 35a and 3-5b Irespectively. A fastening pin 36 may be extended through each aperture 35 to pivotally connect the other end-s of the iirst and second links 31, 33 to the drawing table as in the iirst embodiment.

In FIGURE 3, the kdrawing apparatus 27 is being used to .aid in vthe preparation of a perspective drawing and, therefore, the bottom surfaces of the straight edge member 28 and the cross member 29 are juxtaposed to the surface lof the drawing table. A straight edge may be provided at the upper Iand lower edges of the member 28 and at the inside -edge of the cross member 29 as in 'a conventional T-square.

When the drawing apparatus 27 is not used for drawing views of th-ree dimensional objects, it may Kbe utilized as ta T-square by` turning the apparatus over and using it on a drawing board 37 in a known manner as seen in FIGURE 4. As the iirst and second links 31, 33 are not required, the latter are rotated inwardly so that they lovertlap each other on the bot-tom surface of the cross member 29 adjacent the end of the straight edge member 28. A retaining member 38 is attached to the bottom ysurface of the cross member Z9. The end of the retaining member 38 engages the outer edges of the `overlapping tirst and second links `31, 33 to retain both links in .an inoperative position .so as not to interfere with the draftsman using the drawing apparatus 27 as a T- square.

To assist in the preparation of a perspective drawing, the drawing apparatus of the -tirst or second embodiment of this invention may be used as seen in `FIGURES ,5-7. The method, utilizing the drawing apparatus -11 for instance, comprises the steps of aiiixing a sheet of drawing paper '39 to a iiat surface. A iirst line 411 is drawn on thepaper S9. VThen a second line v42 is drawn making an acute angle with the first line 41 so .that the extensions of lbothvlines 41, 542 intersect at a vanishing point somewhere t-o the lef-t of the drawing paper 3.9 according .to known techniques of drawing a perspective view of an object. kThe angular relationship between the divergent lines 41, 42 is preselected by the draftsman or illustrator, depending on the type of perspective he likes Ito achieve. yTo maintain an angular relationship for all other divergent lines require-d to partially com-plete the view on the drawing paper 39, the drawing apparatus 11 is Iplaced on the surface lso that they straight edge y13 is aligned with line 4l lon the drawing paper 39.

The the fir-st link 1S is rotated until it is substantially normal to the second member 1t. Fastening pin 24a is pushed through the aperture 23a into the surface of the drawing table to pivotally attach Vthe rotated end of the first llink -1'3 to the drawing table. Without moving the straight edge 13, a sharply pointed pencil or any other lscribing means is inserted through the `aperture 23b of .the second link `211 and a iirst arc 43 is scribed on the surlface as best seen in FIGURE 5.

c Now'thelstraight Vedge 13 is aligned with the second line 42 las seen in FIGURE 6. A sharp pencil is inserted through aperture 2311 and a second arc 44 is scribedV on the surface so that it intersects the tirst a-rc 43. lFastening pin 24b is inserted through aperture 23]? of the second link L1 and pushed into the surface of the -drawing table at the point of intersection of tbe iirst arc 43 and the second arc 44, thereby, pivotally connecting the rotated end of the second link 21 to the Idrawing table.

`All other divergent lines extending from the same vand while the links 1'8, 21 remain pivotally connected to the drawing table as seen in FIGURE 7. All vertical lines may be drawn yby utilizing .the vertically extending edge of `a .triangle that is lbeing moved along the horizontally extending straight edge of any T-square.

To complete the perspective view on the drawing paper 39, it will be necessary to draw the divergent lines having a common vanishing point to the right of the drawing paper. The s-ame method of this invention may be applied using the same drawing apparatus l11 of this invention. Two new lines 4S and 46 are drawn on the drawing paper 3% as seen in FIGURE 7, and then the iirst link '18 and second link 21 are pivotally 'connected after aligning the straight edge 13 with the flines 45 and 46 respectively. The Vdrawing is continued as heretofore discusse-d.

It `can be readily understood that the drawing apparatus 27 of the -second embodiment can be employed in the same manner to draw perspective views., The addition-al advantage obtained with the drawing apparatus 27 i-s that it may lalso be used as a T-square to aid in the drawing of the vertical lines or for any other drafting purpose upon placing the iirst link 3.1 and second link 33 in a retained position as seen in yFIGURE 4.

The drawing apparatus of this invention may also be used in the preparation of isometric views -on drawing lpaper. The iirst and second links can be pivotally connected to the drawing table While being maintained in a parallel relationship to each other.

lBy using a triangle in conjunction with the straight edge it can be understood that the preparati-on of isometric views is facilitated. i

It can be seen from the foregoing description that the drawing apparatus of this invention is a versatile drawing .tool which provides a low `cost and effective method for raiding in the preparation of three dimensional views of objectson drawing paper.

[It will be `further understood that the invention is not to be limited v:to the exact construction described ybut that various lmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention Ias defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for drawing three dimensional views of objects in combination with a at surface on which said views are drawn, said apparatus comprising a generally horizontally extending first member having at least one horizontal straight edge, a second member extending generally normal to said tirst member and having its bottom surface attached intermediate its ends to the top surface and at one end of said first member, the inward side of said second member being a vertical straight edge, a irst link having one end pivotally connected to one end at the bottom surface of said second member adjacent its outward side, Ya second link having one end pivotally connected to the other end at the bottom surface of said second member adjacent its outward side, first means at the `other end of said first link for pivotally connecting the latter to said surface, second means at Vthe other end of said second link for pivotally connecting the latter to said surface remote from said first means, and retaining means on said second member tovreceive said first and second links upon the latter being positioned on the bottom surface of said second member, the distance between said iii-st means and said second means after pivotally connecting said other ends of said iirst and second links to said surface being less than the distance between said one ends of the first and second links.

'2. An apparatus 'for drawing three dimensional views of an object ona fiat surface comprising, in combination, a T-square, said T-square comprising a vertical member secured to one end of a horizontal straight edge member, a first link having one end pivotally connected to one end of the vertical member, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the other end of the vertical member, said first link and said second link being of the same length, the other end of the first link being provided with an aperture, a first detachable fastening means being extended through the aperture at the other end of said first link to pivotally connect the latter to 4said'surface, the other end of the second link being provided with an aperture, a second detachable fastening means being extended through the aperture at the other end of said second link to pivotally connect the latter to said surface, the spacing between the first and second fastening means pivotally connecting said other ends of the first and second links to said surface being less than the distance between the ends of said vertical member, and retaining means on said vertical member to receive portions of said first and second link when the other ends of the latter are in a nonfastenedcondition.

3. An apparatus for drawing perspective views of objects on a fiat surface comprising a member having a substantially horizontally extending straight edge, a first link, said first link having one end pivotally connected to one end of said member, a second link, said second link having one end pivotally connected to said one end of the member, said one end of the first link being remote from said one end of the second link, an aperture in the other end of said first link, an aperture in the other end of said second link, a first readily detachable fastening means, and a second readily detachable fastening means, said first fastening means being received by said aperture of the first link and adapted to pivotally connect the latter to said surface, said second fastening means being received by said aperture of the second link and adapted to pivotally connect the latter to said surface, said first link and said second link being in a nonparallel relationship upon being pivotally connected to said surface.

4. A method for drawing a three dimensional view on a fiat surface utilizing a drawing apparatus comprising a member having at least one substantially horizontally eX- tending straight edge, a first link having one end pivotally connected to the end 0f said member, a second link having one end pivotally connected to said one end of said member remote from said first link, the method comprising the steps of drawing at least two lines on said surface, said lines being arranged so as to have common point of intersection on said surface remote from said intended view, positioning said member on said fiat surface so as to align said straight edge with one of said lines, rotating the other end of said first link so that the latter is substantially parallel to said straight edge, pivotally connecting the other end of said first link to said surface, striking a first arc with the other end of the second link, then aligning the straight edge with the second line on said surface, striking a second arc with the other end of said second link so as to intersect said first arc, and pivotally connecting the other end of said `second link to said surface at the point of intersection of the first are and the second arc. i

5. A method for drawing a perspective view of an object on a sheetof drawing paper affixed to a fiat surface utilizing a drawing apparatus comprising a member having a substantially horizontally extending straight edge, a first link having one end pivotally connected to one end of said member, and a second link having one end pivotally connected to said one end of the member, said pivotaly connections being vertically spaced from each other, the method comprising the steps of drawing two divergent lines, said two lines being arranged so as to have a common point of intersection on said surface remote from the intended view on the drawing paper, positioning said member on said drawing paper so as to align said straight edge with one of said lines, rotating the other end of said first link so that the latter is substantially parallel to said straight edge, pivotally connecting the other end of said first link to said surface, striking a first arc on said surface with the other end of the second link, then aligning the straight edge with the second line onsaid drawing paper, striking a second arc with the other end of said second link so as to intersect said first arc, pivotally connecting the other end of said second link to said surface at the point of intersection of the first are and the second arc, and drawing lines with the straight edge of said pivotally `connected member to partially complete saidV view.

6. A method for drawing a perspective view of an object on a sheet of drawing paper afiixed to a flat surface utilizing a drawing apparatus comprising a member having a substantially horizontally extending straight edge, a first link having one end pivotally connected to one end of said member, and a second link having one end pivotally connected to said one end of the member, said pivotal connections being vertically spaced from each other, the method comprising the steps of drawing two divergent lines on the drawing` paper, said two lines being arranged so as to have a common point of intersection on said surface to the left of the intended view on the drawing paper, positioning said member on said drawing paper so as to align said straight edge With one of said lines, rotating the other end of said first link so that the latter is substantially parallel to said straight edge, pivotally connecting the other end of said first link to said surface, striking a first arc on said surface with the other end of the second link, then aligning the straight edge with the second line on saiddrawing paper, striking a second are with the other end of said second link so as to intersect said first arc, pivotally connecting the other end of said second link to said surface at the point of intersection of the first arc and the second arc, drawing lines with the straight edge of said pivotally connected member to partially complete said view, drawing at least two additional divergent lines on the drawing paper, said two additional lines being arranged so as to have a common point of intersection, on said surface to the right of the view on the drawing paper, repeating the steps of aligning the straight edge with the two additional lines and pivotally connecting said first and second links to partially complete said view, and then drawing vertical lines to complete the perspective view of said object on the drawing paper.

7. An apparatus for drawing perspective views in combination with a fiat surface on which said views are drawn, said apparatus comprising a first member having a substantially horizontally extending straight edge, a second member extending normal to said straight edge and being attached intermediate its ends to said first member, a first link having one end portion pivotally connected to one end of said second member, a second link having one end portion pivotally connected to the other end of said member, a first means pivotally connecting the other end portion of said first link directly to said surface, and a second means pivotally connecting the other end portion of said second link directly to said surface, said first means and said second means being remote from each other and maintaining said first and second links in a non parallel relationship upon being pivotally connected to said surface.

8. An apparatus for drawing three dimensional views of objects in combination with a flat surface on which said views are drawn, said apparatus comprising a member having a substantially horizontally extending straight edge, a first link having one end pivotally connected to said member, a second link having one end pivotally connected to said member, the pivotal connections at the one end of said first link and at the one end of said second link being spaced apart and lying on a common vertical axis normal to said straight edge, first means pivotally connccting said first link directly to said surface at one point remote from said one end of the first link, and a second means pivotally connecting said second link directly to said surface at another point remote from said one end of the second link, the distance between the first and second means being less than the distance between the pivotal 7 Y connections at the respective one ends of said first and second links.

9. An apparatus for drawing three dimensional views of an object on a at surface comprising, in combination, a T-square having a vertical member secured to one end of a horizontal straight edge member, a rst link having one end pivotally connected to one end of said vertical member, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the other end of said vertical member, said first link and said secondlink being of the same length, the other end of said first link'being provided with an aperture, a Ifirst detachable fastening means extending through the aperture at the other end of said first link to pivotally connect the latter to said surface, the other end of said second link being provided with an aperture, a second detachable fastening means extending through the aperture at the other end of said second link torpivotally connect the latter to said surface, the distance between the rst and the second fastening means pivotally connecting 'the other ends of -said rst and second -links to the surface being less than the distance 'between the one end and the other end of said vertical member, and lretaining means on said vertical member to receive portions of said first 'and second links when the ends of said links are in a non fastened condition.

References Cited `by theA Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1 1 Germany. 411,582 2/ 45 Italy. 417,177 1/47 Italy. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR DRAWING THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEWS OF OBJECTS IN COMBINATION WITH A FLAT SURFACE ON WHICH SAID VIEWS ARE DRAWN, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING FIRST MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE HORIZONTAL STRAIGHT EDGE, A SECOND MEMBER EXTENDING GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID FIRST MEMBER AND HAVING ITS BOTTOM SURFACE ATTACHED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS TO THE TOP SURFACE AND AT ONE END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, THE INWARD SIDE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING A VERTICAL STRAIGHT EDGE, A FIRST LINK HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE END AT THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER ADJACENT ITS OUTWARD SIDE, A SECOND LINK HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END AT THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER ADJACENT ITS OUTWARD SIDE, FIRST MEANS AT THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRST LINK FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE 